State Government

The ombudsman’s job is to investigate and resolve complaints about agencies in the cabinet, including protective services for children and elderly Kentuckians.

The bill easily passed, 11-4, the House Health Services Committee on Thursday mostly along party lines after six Kentucky health care professionals testified against it. 

The bill's sponsor said he “... could not come up with a good definition for tenure that I felt comfortable putting in statute.”

In last year’s budget, the Republican-controlled General Assembly set various caps on spending by state agencies when responding to a disaster, before asking the legislature for a new appropriation.

The minority of Democrats in the GOP-controlled chamber who opposed Senate Bill 89 echoed strong concerns from environmental groups that the legislation could open the door to more pollution of groundwater, wetlands and small headwater streams across the state. 

Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher said the education department would continue to discuss possible future funding with lawmakers.

Disclosure reports filed with federal regulators early this month show that — by far — the largest shares were applied here in Kentucky.

Rep. Maddox says her proposed fiscal note requirement is still needed

Lowering the tax rate has been a priority in recent years for Republican lawmakers.

The effort has been made during five of the last six legislative sessions.

The bill is sponsored by House Appropriations and Revenue Committee chair Jason Petrie, R-Elkton.

The bill's sponsor said that restriction was “an error,” and that she intends to change it if it were to move forward in the legislature.